India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
